Why it's time to stop referring to people as "sheeple"

When I was a kid, I remember my mother explaining to me that sometimes people put other people down in order to make themselves feel better. It was very clear by the way she said it, that this was not something we needed to do.

I'm reminded of the saying I heard as a young person, "When you point your finger at someone else, you have three fingers pointing back at yourself".

I also think of Jesus' illustration about judging in Matthew 7: "Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye."

I'm going to share four reasons why it's time to stop talking about people in a demeaning tone and calling them "sheeple".

First, we are all made in the image of the Most High God. The Creator of the heavens and the earth said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness" Genesis 1:26. I believe if we spend some time contemplating this, we will realize we need to treat one another with respect and dignity.

Second, let's consider the following 3 passages:

"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." Isaiah 53:6.

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."  Romans 3:23

Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep." John 10:11

The ground is level at the foot of the cross. We have no room to boast. If anyone has permission to call us "sheeple" in a condescending tone, it's God. But He doesn't. He does liken us to sheep, and Himself as the good Shepherd, but in the tone of tender love. 

Have you ever loved an animal in your care? This is a small glimpse of the love God has for us.

Third, let's check the clock, and realize what time it is - time to proclaim the 3 angels' messages of Revelation 14:6-13.

It's now time to speak to everyone that dwells on the earth, to every nation, kindred, tongue and people with a loud voice, saying "Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgement is come..." It's not time for our judgement, it's time for his! What are we doing being snooty? How many can we represent and win to God's eternal kingdom of love this way? How many can we bring with us to walk at His right hand where there are pleasures forevermore (Psalms 16:11) when we're looking down our noses wagging our finger and using a scornful tone?

Lastly, with the context of the parable of the sheep and the goats found in Matthew 25:31-46, I submit to you that it's better to be a sheep than a goat. "And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left...Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world...Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels."

For these four reasons, among others not covered here, we don't need to be calling each other sheeple. I'll leave you with these two questions:

Are you a sheep?

If so, do you hear the good shepherd's voice?

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." John 10:27-28

"And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left." Isaiah 30:21